newjerseynewsroom.com

But Republicans and Democrats differ over needed legislation

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The number of Republican, Democratic and Independent mayors who have endorsed Gov. Chris Christie's propose 2.5 percent cap on property tax hikes and state government spending has grown to 201, the governor‘s office announced Tuesday.

Christie wants the Democratic-controlled Legislature to pass his proposal before it recesses for the summer in order for it to appear as a constitutional amendment for voters to consider on the November ballot. The governor took his campaign for passage of the proposal to the public for a sixth time in the past month at a public meeting Tuesday in Perth Amboy.

"Legislative committee approval for the Cap 2.5 constitutional amendment is needed before the first week of July in order to meet the deadline for the bill to be moved to the floor and approved for placement on the ballot and consideration by the voters in November,'' Michael Drewniak, Christie‘s press secretary, said Tuesday. "Governor Christie is urging the Assembly and Senate leadership and legislators of both parties to work with him in putting this critical government reform before the voters for approval this November.''

Drewniak added, "Across New Jersey, mayors continue standing up to support Governor Christie's efforts to bring real property tax relief to New Jersey families. They know firsthand the impact these high taxes are having on communities, driving away jobs and hardworking families.''

The governor's office has released a web video featuring Independent Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka speaking about how the Christie 33-bill "Reform Agenda'' is the only way to stop the property tax crisis from driving away families and jobs.

On May 10th, Christie outlined the 33-bill package he wants to see approved in an effort to solve New Jersey's property tax crisis and control spending at every level of government. The centerpiece of the plan is Cap 2.5, a constitutional amendment creating a 2.5 percent cap on property tax increases.

On Monday, Assemblyman Paul D. Moriarty (D-Gloucester) introduced legislation to mandate a 2.5 percent on property tax hikes and state government spending. His version, however, would have the Legislature and governor approve the mandate and not the voters.

Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco (R-Gloucester) Tuesday called Moriarty's proposal "tepid'' and urged him to support his version that would allow a public vote.

"I appreciate Assemblyman Moriarty's acknowledgment that we need to cap property taxes, but we cannot keep recycling the same failed gimmicks and stale ideas," DiCicco said. "Property taxpayers want us to move in a different direction, such as a strong constitutional cap that will protect them from the whims of legislators such as Assemblyman Moriarty who did nothing as the state's average property bill soared past $7,000."

DiCicco and Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth) are sponsoring legislation that would allow voters to mandate a 2.5 percent cap.

"The people have put their faith in Legislature and that faith has been rewarded with monstrous property tax increases year after year," DiCicco said. "I trust the people more than career politicians to make decisions about how their tax dollars are spent, which is why I support an ironclad constitutional cap that could only be exceeded by the will of the people. That concept is frightening to elected officials who are not used to being accountable for their failed fiscal policies, but it's the type of bold action we need to make New Jersey affordable again."